Golden Roses (13 page)

Allegra’s smile was sad, and her tired eyes glimmered with tears of sympathy. “My child, if your father had had anything, I would gladly give it to you, but he had nothing. If I had anything, it would be my pleasure to give it to you. But I have nothing at all. Valdis has everything.”

“There has to be a way out of here!” Amber declared. “Surely you can tell me a way out. A secret path? Anything!”

Allegra struggled to sit up, reaching out to clutch Amber’s shoulder. She whispered hoarsely, “I cannot tell you how to leave here, only that you must go before it is too late. Valdis has done horrible things, unholy things. He deserves to die, and the holy mother of God herself would bless you if you plunged a knife into his black heart.”

Amber went numb. To hear Valdis’s stepmother make such a shocking declaration was overwhelming.

“Go now!” Allegra hissed, suddenly frightened. “Go before he finds you here. I have not the strength to sustain myself any longer. Go. Seek the help of anyone who is willing to help you. I hope…” She gave Amber’s shoulder one last, feeble squeeze before slumping back on her pillows. She stared up and said hollowly, “I hope you kill him.”

Amber sat stock-still for a moment, staring at Allegra in silence, then quietly left the room. She could not endanger her any longer. If Valdis thought she had told Amber anything at all, he would beat her, and Allegra was too weak for that.

A vaquero was standing outside the door to Amber’s room, and she returned his arrogant gaze coolly. He had a scraggly beard and was dressed in disheveled clothing, gun and holster hanging just below his waist. He tried to seem fierce, but she found him slovenly, not formidable.

The Mexican grinned as he opened the door to Amber’s room. “Señor Alezparito has ordered you to remain in your room.”

“Fine,” she snapped, brushing by him. “I’d rather be in here than out where I might run into that bastard you work for!”

She slammed the door on him and flung herself across the bed. Let him lord it over her. Armand would be there soon, and when he found out that she was being held prisoner, he would free her one way or another.

Her fingertips traced her lips as she recalled the fire of Armand’s kiss. He had aroused her, made her body tremble with a hunger she knew he could feed. Yet there was that other awesome feeling, the awareness that Cord Hayden aroused more and could give more.

She shook herself furiously. Cord Hayden was not to be trusted. Just why was he here in Mexico? There were so many questions that needled. Armand, on the other hand, was a gentleman. Cord would probably want to be repaid for his help, and, she thought with a shiver, he was the kind of man who would collect his dues. Cord was not a gentleman.

The day passed with agonizing slowness. She paced back and forth on her balcony, searching for some sign of Armand’s arrival.

It was almost two o’clock in the afternoon when she heard her door being unlocked and hurried back into the room to see Dolita enter with a lunch tray. The guard looked in and gave Amber a smirk, his eyes resting insolently on her bosom before he slammed the door and locked it again. Dolita set the tray down, then silently motioned for Amber to follow her out to the balcony.

“We must whisper,” she ordered nervously. “Guards are all around. I know you have many questions, but I have no time. Let me tell you what I know. Señor Mendosa came a short while ago—”

“Armand was here?” Amber cried. “Is he still here?”

“No, no, he has gone.” Dolita stepped back, pressing a finger to her lips. “And you must be quiet. If the guard hears anything, he will go to Señor Valdis and I will be beaten. Please, señorita, if I am to help you, you must help me.” Her brown eyes pleaded.

“Yes, of course.” Amber nodded. “Go on, please.”

“There was a big fight. Esconcia, who was cleaning in the next room, overheard and told me what happened. Señor Mendosa went into Señor Valdis’s study, and they talked quietly for only a moment before Señor Valdis began to scream and shout. He yelled to Señor Mendosa that if he married anyone, it would be his sister, and that if you married anyone, it would be him. He said you already told him you would be his wife. Señor Mendosa became very angry and said you would never agree to marry him. Señor Valdis ordered Señor Mendosa to get off the ranch before he killed him.”

Dolita paused and Amber urged her on. “What happened then? And where is Armand now?”

“Esconcia says that Señor Valdis was holding a gun to Señor Mendosa’s back as he led him out of the house. Then one of his men took him all the way to the gate. Please, señorita. I cannot stay any longer.”

Stunned, Amber vaguely heard the door open and close as Dolita departed. Amber wandered back into the room and lay down across the bed, her mind whirling. There seemed no way out. There were guards at her door. She was truly a prisoner. The complete acknowledgment of her plight brought tears, and she wept until exhausted slumber carried her away.

She awoke when Dolita returned that evening to light the lanterns and bring a supper tray.

“You must eat,” the girl urged. “You will become weak, like Señora Allegra.”

“I don’t care,” Amber murmured, flinging her arm across her face to ward off the lanterns’ glow.

“If you do not eat, you will be too ill to take advantage of an opportunity when it comes. Do not give up on Señor Mendosa—or Señor Hayden. Both are strong men and courageous.”

The door opened, and the guard looked in and frowned at Dolita. He ordered the maid out, and then Amber found herself alone again.

She sat up and looked at the tray. There was a colorful clay pitcher filled with cool chocolate. The platter of turnovers made of stuffed corn pastry and flat little cakes made from cactus fruit made her realize how hungry she was.

Finally pushing the tray aside, she stood and walked out onto the balcony. The night was warm and still, with rolling clouds of silver and a moon casting shadows. She stared into the horizon. Damn Valdis! She was going to escape even if she had to jump to the ground below.

Walking to the edge of the balcony, she wrapped her fingers around the ornate railing. “I will do it,” she whispered. “I will make myself do it.”

“I wouldn’t. It’s a long way down.”

She jumped, whipping her head around to see a man perched on the railing at the side of the balcony. His hat shadowed his face, but she could see the arms folded across his massive chest, the shirt unbuttoned to the waist. Strong, muscular thighs strained against tight chinos.

“Cord Hayden!” she spat. “You scared me to death! What are you doing there?”

He cocked his head to one side. “I’m your guard for the night.”

“You?” she sputtered. “But Valdis would never—”

“Of course not.” He laughed, now standing before her. “I climbed up here, which wasn’t difficult. Valdis’s guards aren’t very smart.

“Now then,” he said, the smile disappearing. “I don’t have much time and we had better discuss the trouble you’re in. Armand came charging home, wanting to round up men and guns and go to war with Valdis.”

“Then you know about the argument they had.”

“I know that Valdis told Armand you had agreed to marry him. I think it’s a lie.” His eyes narrowed. “I also know that you didn’t listen to me. You cried on Armand’s shoulder, and now he’s right in the middle of this damn mess. He may get himself killed.”

“You think I want that?” she countered resentfully, then hissed, “You think I’m using Armand, don’t you? Well, I think it’s time I set you straight on a few things, Cord Hayden, and you can pass them along to Armand when you see him. I’m going to get myself out of this mess. I don’t need anyone’s help, so just stay away. I’m sorry I became a…a nuisance to you.”

She turned to go back inside, but Cord reached out quickly and caught her arm. She stared up at him belligerently, furious with herself for being so angry. She thought once more how overwhelmingly handsome he was, however formidable. “Take your hands away,” she ordered.

“I don’t take orders from anyone, particularly hysterical women,” he murmured, amused “So you just calm down and listen. It’s all fine and noble that you have now decided you don’t need anybody’s help, but it’s a little late for that. Now, I’m going to do this my way, whether you like it or not. I only came over here to tell you to stay calm. I figured you’d hear about the fight this morning and go to pieces…like a woman,” he added sarcastically.

“I’m not going to pieces, sir.” She jerked futilely against his grasp. “Now please leave.”

“I’m going.” He nodded, hands slipping to grasp her waist. “I’ve never met a woman yet I was willing to die for.”

“And I doubt one has ever wanted to die for you, either.”

He cocked his head to one side and gazed down at her as though she were merely a delightful child. “There have been times,” he murmured, “when women begged to die…but not in a way
you
would understand. Not yet, that is.”

She felt her cheeks flaming. “You are the most arrogant, conceited man I have ever met. I know all about you, Cord Hayden. I know how you sneaked into Maretta’s room behind Armand’s back—and probably ravished her.”

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” he snapped. “And I am not going to talk about that with you. Now, just don’t do anything to rile Valdis.”

He released her, and she stepped away, blinking back furious tears. “I don’t want your help. I have news for you. I can take care of myself.”

Suddenly he pulled her against him, his lips moving down on hers. Amber froze, allowing him to devour her mouth, allowing the warmth to spread through her. Then, abruptly, she gained control of herself and twisted away.

“You had no right!” She shook her head. “No right at all. What kind of an animal are you? Armand calls you his friend, and you force yourself upon a woman you know he cares about.”

A frown crossed his forehead, and she knew she had, at last, hit home.

“He is my friend,” he said slowly, evenly, eyes boring into her. “And, in time, he will come to realize you aren’t for him. Not all men can tame that fire burning within you, Amber.”

She gave her long hair a toss. “And how do you know a fire burns within me, Cord Hayden? Who are you to know so much about me?”

“I know women,” he said simply, and meant it.

“But never one like me.” She threw out the words with a spirit she had never, until that moment, known she possessed.

“Perhaps.” He smiled. “Who knows? I may have met a challenge for the first time in my life. But I think I’ll enjoy facing it.”

In a rage, she ran toward her room, then turned to whisper hoarsely, “Tell Armand not to worry about me. I will take care of myself. And if you ever dare come near me again, Cord Hayden…”

Her voice trailed off as she realized the terrace was empty. He had slipped into the night as quietly as he had come, as quietly as the nocturnal animal he was.

The dream came again that night, and the faceless man possessed her, and she felt the spasms of release deep within her belly. The mist parted, and for the first time, her lover had a face. It was Cord Hayden who held her and quenched the fire.

Chapter Eight

Rain made little pattering sounds as the droplets trailed from the tile roof to cascade onto the balcony outside. The late morning sky was thick with heavy, slated clouds.

Amber stared out through the double doors at the third day of rain and the fourth of confinement in her room. How much longer? She shivered.

The sound of voices lured her to the locked door, and in a minute, Dolita rushed in with a lunch tray, glancing around in fright, as always. She set the tray down, and Amber looked at the baked fish in a thick yellow sauce.

Dolita moved so close to Amber that she could feel the maid’s breath. “I have a message from Señor Hayden.”

“Cord?” Amber blinked, heart pounding. “Was he here?”

“I was at the well, drawing water, and he was in the bushes, hiding. He called to me, and when I could be sure no one was watching, I went to him. He said he will come to you tonight to take you to Señor Mendosa. You are to be ready at midnight.”

Amber suppressed a cry of delight. “Tonight!” She clapped her hands together silently. “Tonight I am leaving!” But when she saw the look on Dolita’s face, the sudden exhilaration disappeared.

“I am sorry,” Dolita murmured, eyes downcast. “It is not what you think. Señor Mendosa insists upon seeing you, and he cannot come here, for he might not be able to control his temper if Señor Valdis discovers him. Señor Hayden says he will be able to slip in without being seen, and take you to him, but then he will bring you back.”

Amber sank down on the bed and sighed. “Well, at least I will see him. And he may have some kind of plan.”

“I must go now.” Dolita moved toward the door. “The guard will get suspicious if I stay too long.”

With too many things on her mind to think of food, Amber spent the next hour or so in her tub, excited and happy. But when Dolita returned in midafternoon, she knew something was very wrong.

“Señor Valdis,” Dolita told her quickly, wringing her hands, “says you are to be brought to him at once. He has ordered sangria and wishes you to have a drink with him. He says if you refuse, the guard must bring you by force.”